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AN 


ORATION 

ON THE DEATH OF 


LIEUT. KE1V. GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

ft 


COMPOSED ON THE SPECIAL REQUEST OF THE COMMANDANT AND 
HIS BROTHER OFFICERS, OF THE CANTONMENT IN THE 
VICINITY, AND DELIVERED AT STAUNTON, 

ON THE 22D DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1800, 


BY THE KEY. JOHN GLENDY, D. D. 

♦ * 

Then Minister to the Presbyterian congregations of Staunton and Bethel, in Augusta coun 
ty, Virginia ; and late Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Baltimore. 


2 d Chron. xx. 12—“ We know not what to do, O our God, but our eyes 
are upon thee.” 

Deut. xxxiii. 27—“ The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath is the 
everlasting Arms.” 

Psalm xlvi. 1—“ God is our rock and strength, a very present help in timo 
of trouble.” 


Baltimore: 

PRINTED BY SANDS & NEIL SON, 
S. E. corner Calvert & Market-sts. 

1835. 



























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TO THE PUBLIC. 


The Author in yielding cordial and prompt compliance 
with the earnest requisition contained in the annexed Address, 
trusts that an enlightened, candid and liberal Public, will as- 
scribe it to pure and honorable motives. 

If the Oration shall have any claim to your protection or re¬ 
gard, it must flow from that Spirit of Liberty which it breathes; 
and that the immortal Washington, the champion of fair free¬ 
dom, is its favorite theme; which must forever be dear and 
grateful to American Citizens. 

The goodness of the committee has already forestalled my 
hopes; and my anxious wishes, even at this early period, 
are nearly accomplished. 


Sir, 

In presenting to you the thanks of your Fellow-Citi¬ 
zens, for the elegant Oration delivered upon the late melan¬ 
choly occasion, we cheerfully discharge a duty honorably im¬ 
posed upon us by the Resolutions of that day; and in this de¬ 
claration of general approbation most unequivocally express 
our own. In the further pursuance of that duty, we have to 
request you will furnish a copy for publication, and in so do¬ 
ing tender a just tribute to unequalled worth; comply with an 
unanimous expression of the public mind; particularly gratify 
the wishes of this committee; pay the highest compliment to 
your own enlightened understanding, and render important ser¬ 
vice to a grateful country. 

By order of the Committee , 

ALEXANDER St. CLAIR, Chairman. 

Teste , 

John Coalter, Scc^y, 




ORATION. 


Psalm lxxxix. 48—“ What Man is he that liveth, and shall not see Death?” 

Momentous question! yet awfully solved every returning day, 
by the exit of the mighty and mean, the noble and base, the renown¬ 
ed and inglorious. 

Could moral excellence and manly worth; could illustrious deeds 
and untainted honour ; could the purest patriotism conjoined with 
rational piety; could the love and veneration, the gratitude and admi¬ 
ration of millions rescue from the stroke of death, your Washing¬ 
ton had never died—And yet he is gone—the political saviour of 
your Country—the pride of your nation—the favorite of Heaven— 
your Washington is gone to happier climes—It must be so—Hea¬ 
ven’s will be done. 

Why should we pause here for a fleeting instant, to announce 
what is the awful dispensation of the most High, that directed my 
attention to this solemn theme ? The deep-rooted sorrow, the woe- 
worn hearts, and grief-wrung spirits, of many dignified characters 
present; and the grave sympathising countenance of this crowded 
august assembly, anticipate me on the occasion. The heart-interest¬ 
ing solemnity of this day has a double retrospect—In its vast im¬ 
portance, it takes cognizance of the Birth and Death of the great¬ 
est George—It proclaims to the universe, a Republican Government 
issuing a requisition, with which the heads and hearts of ten thou¬ 
sand times ten thousand, chime in sweet unison, without one jar¬ 
ring, or one discordant note, equally honourable, to the governor 
and governed, to the first Magistrate and the People—kindling in 
our breasts, the mingled emotions of triumph and condolence. All 
hail Columbia! I would felicitate myself indeed, could 1 participate 
individually in that high honour which America may justly claim 
to herself, of being the kind Foster-Mother of that Man whose 
love of glory was devoid of Ambition—whose generous Soul em¬ 
braced no object but the emancipation of his country—whose fideli¬ 
ty was equal to your unbounded confidence. u Whose prudence 
and valour, were at once the shield and sword of his native soil.” 



6 


These are glorious outlines, that will forever illumine the page of 
your history, that can never be erased from your dear remembrance, 
and will be indelibly engraven on the minds of your posterity. But 
alas! the mournful solemnity of this day reverses the lovely scene, 
and darkens the gilded prospect. Mourn America! Your greatest, 
bravest, best beloved Son is now no more—Mourn ye sons of free¬ 
dom! Great Washington is gone, and you are bereaved indeed— 
yes; we are well aware, that undisguised are your compunctions of 
sorrow, unfeigned the sensibilities of your nature—yes ; ever since 
the unwelcome doleful tidings winged their flight to this village and 
its vicinity, the deepened sigh was heaved, and the heart throbbed 
in silent anguish. 

Humanity is deeply interested in the heart-confounding query of 
my text—every man living perceives and feels that he must depart 
this life, and ere long death will push him off the stage of time.— 
“For life is soon cut off, and we fly away.” That we must shortly 
yield up our breath and be lodged in the gloomy caverns of the 
grave is most assuredly an awful thought, and were it unceasingly 
to dwell upon the mind with that powerful energy with which it 
sometimes comes home to the heart, our state would be pitiable in¬ 
deed. The beneficent Father of all, however, has framed the hu¬ 
man heart with such happy sensibility, such spirit and animation, as 
are absolutely necessary for agenting the grand business of life and 
time with vigour and activity. Yet surely the fate of others, should 
impress mortal man, with grave feeling and devout reflection.— 
“Man is as grass indeed.” He springs up, blooms, fades, and perish¬ 
es from the earth as if he had never been. Yet the swelling vanity 
of mortal man will lift itself into importance—Hark, child of the 
dust! the gay and airy scene begins to change apace—Mark the 
hoary head and wrinkled face, sad ravages of time ! with what cer¬ 
tainty can man promise himself tomorrow ? when we take a re¬ 
trospective glance at those who were the endearing companions of 
our boyish days, the heart sickens at the doleful recollection. 

As travellers on the way to our eternal home, shall we pant after 
this world and forget our destination ? Shall we trifle with all-impor¬ 
tant time, and lavish the precious hour away ? We sojourn in a vale 
of tears, where all things have changed, are changing, and may change 


7 


again. The dreary tomb is the last abode of erring man, even 
there is laid low your Washington ! 

Woeful event! Here are we convened to commemorate a nation’s 
loss, a loss 1 had almost said irreparable. The painful yet pleasing 
task, assigned me in the important transactions of this day, is to be 
the organ, for expressing the part we bear in the universal mourning. 
I feel confident from the sensations of my own heart, that there is 
not a bosom in this great assembly so callous, as not to melt, and 
mourn and sadden, at Columbia’s woe. 

Various causes combine to announce my inequality to the duties 
of the day. Little schooled in political researches; a stranger to the 
din of arms and clangor of war; equally unknowing and unknown, in 
acts of chivalry or the thunder of battle, in the tactics of sap or 
of storm ; a foreigner, yea an alien on your shore, of a few u little 
months” standing. The ground on which I tread is truly delicate 
and embarrassing. We are well aware that servile adulation, and 
unmerited encomium, are only adapted to the taste and genius of 
mean temporizing sycophants; yet surely, when an undeviating 
virtuous character holds an exalted station, is indefatigable in pro¬ 
moting the public good, even national felicity, to withhold praise 
from such honourable men, is ungenerous, ungrateful, criminal; for 
the plaudits of the wise and good in every age, have proved incen¬ 
tives to the noblest deeds. Fulsome adulation we detest, and un¬ 
merited compliment either to dead or living, would be satire in dis¬ 
guise. In our feeble attempts to delineate the character of your im¬ 
mortal Washington, (whose death we deplore this day) there is little 
danger of transcending his real worth; and it would betray the 
weak head or bad heart, to keep within common bounds, when we 
either think, write, or speak of such an uncommon man. When 
Washington is the theme of our honest eulogium, the subject is 
almost too vast for regular thought. In reviewing the assemblage 
of his endearing virtues, we feel extremely difficulted which we 
shall most admire, the mild and amiable virtues of the man in the 
tranquil walks of like ; the philanthropy of the citizen, the love of 
country in the patriot, the valour of the hero, the wisdom of the 
general, the policy of the statesman, or the piety of the Christian.— 
In tracing this extensive range of character, I trust the earnestness 


8 


of my zeal and purity of my intention, will, in your indulgent esti¬ 
mation, supply the lack of talent. 

Let the mighty nations across the Atlantic, boast of their Scipios, 
their Caesars and Alexanders—their Gustavus Adolphus and their 
Ferdinand—their Marlborough and their Buonaparte ; yet you will 
be constrained to resolve their blazon achievements, into mad am¬ 
bition, false love of glory, or tyrannic conquest. Contrast them 
with your beloved Washington as Patriot-Heroes, and as the stars of 
night fade away before the glory of the rising day, so shall they 
hide their diminished lustre and sink into obscurity. 

The bravest potentate of Europe immortalized himself in yield¬ 
ing to this fact; we mean the late Frederick of Prussia, who, after 
the acknowledgment of your Independence, transmitted a golden 
hilted Sword to your Hero, with this signal inscription, “from the 
oldest to the greatest General.” 

It is true, transatlantic countries have given birth to individual 
rare characters, who may vie with your late Chief, in some one of 
the sublime excellencies that adorn humanity; and it seems to be 
characterstic of our nature, that to excel in any one grand pursuit, 
will command the whole attention and absorb the noblest powers of 
man; yet, it would appear as if propitious Heaven intended, that 
your Washington should stand unrivalled in all. Select all the 
characters of Ancient and Modern History, where is the man to be 
found exhibiting such depth of penetration, such versatility of talent, 
such active, energetic, bold, comprehensive powers of mind; bear¬ 
ing down all obstacles that opposed their progress; piercing through 
the various combinations and relations of surrounding circumstan¬ 
ces; seeing all things with an equal eye, in their just dimensions ; 
and attributing to each its due proportion ? 

What shall we think of that rich fountain, which, while it was 
poured out through so many different channels, flowed through each 
with a full and equal stream—On all sides he touched the extremes 
of human character; and his great Soul was only bounded by that 
impenetrable circle, which prescribes the limits of human nature. 

From so rich an aggregate of materials, we must content our¬ 
selves, with sketching only a few outlines, of the lovely portrait of 
your dignified citizen. When we behold a character from the re- 


9 


tired walks of humble life “starting early in the career of true glory,’* 
by an undeviating progress through a life of honor arriving at the 
first dignities of the state—organizing a great nation, and raising 
America to her proper altitude in the scale of the Universe, manly 
curiosity is roused into energy, and pure philosophy delights to trace 
the path of fair fame, from the vale of obscurity, to the zenith of 
elevation. There is scarce any circumstance so trivial or minute 
in great characters, as not to command the attention, and interest the 
heart. The laudable curiosity of generations yet unborn will be 
strongly excited, to learn even what were the air and mien, the 
form and features of your lamented Washington. From connois¬ 
seurs in what constitutes the elegance of human frame* I have learn¬ 
ed that it would have puzzled the most minute observer, to have 
discovered one single deficiency in his whole form, or thought of 
one beauty that could enrich it—celestial virtue was clothed in 
the form of Washington. 

Those divine characters imprinted on his luminous Heaven-direct¬ 
ed countenance, would have whispered, where his hope centered* 
where his confidence was stayed. There was an uncommon inex¬ 
pressible something about the man, that would have announced to 
every spectator, this is the American Chief, this, the Conqueror of 
Heroes. Behold him, so soon as he had counted the days of man¬ 
hood, delegated by the Burgesses of this state—traversing the track¬ 
less desert, (part of it savage country) for four hundred miles, even 
to the banks of the Ohio, where foreign marauders infested your 
territory—Follow him through his early deeds of valor, and mili¬ 
tary manoeuvres, at the defeat of Braddock, that overbearing incau¬ 
tious, ill-fated man— There budded his laurels, which ere long 
ripened into full maturity— Here dawned the day, that ushered in 
his meridian glory. 

In the progress of human events, the period wheeled around, 
when the British Parliament, intoxicated with prosperity, and in 
the delirium of policy, pretended a right to legislate for this great 
continent—outraging every principle of rational liberty and equal 
representation. Heaven justified your resistance even to blood.-— 
My feelings recoil at the contemplation of those black days; and 
2 


10 


were it not to unrake the dying embers of national jealousy, we- 
could here narrate a gloomy memorial. 

Merciful Heaven, what a sight! Your country, your dear country 
becomes the abode of carnage and desolation ! a formidable host of 
foes overspread your plains, possess your cities—prepared are the 
infernal engines of destruction for your ruin—The sword is drawn 
—Vengeance and rage have lighted up their torches—The enemy 
thirst for conquest, and for plunder—You opposed with courageous 
resistance—Vain were your efforts in a thousand instances—Blood 
flows—Death flies—The flame rages—Righteous God ! shall mil¬ 
lions fall the victims of a few ambitious mortals ? Children be mur¬ 
dered at their mother’s breast—The gray hairs of the venerable 
old man be dragged in blood and dust—Innocent beauty become 
the prey of the foul ravisher, or brutal murderer? merely because the 
covetousness of a monster, thirsts for increased revenue, or a tyrant 
pants for increased territory. But we forbear, and trust you have 
done forever with those dismal scenes. Here your Hero rises to view, 
rises to the admiration of the world, in accumulation of interesting cir¬ 
cumstances, delineation of character, and important scenery of action. 

He could no longer witness, without feeling greatly indignant, 
the sparkling sword of despotism, or the odious chains of slavery. 
At the call of his country, worthy to command, willing to obey, he 
“girded on the harness without boasting,”—conscious of his intre¬ 
pidity, yet diffident of his talents. The elegant apostrophe of Col. 
Humphreys (that fine poet, and finished scholar) to General Wash¬ 
ington on taking command of the army, sublimely expresseth my 
conceptions on the occasion. 

“ O first of Heroes, fav’rite of the skies, 

To what dread toils thy country bade thee rise ! 

’Twas thine to change the sweetest scenes of life 
For public cares—to guide th’ embattl’d strife— 
Unnumber’d ills of every kind to dare—■ 

The winter’s blast, the summer’s sultry air, 

The lurking dagger—and the turbid storms, 

Of wasting War, with death in all his forms— 

Nor aught could daunt unspeakably serene, 

Thy conscious soul smil’d o’er the dreadful scene.” 

Then lay at stake his earthly all—His fee simple estate in his na¬ 
tive soil—his precious life—his honour superior to both—his coun¬ 
try dearer than all. 



li 


Though possessed of undoubted talents for military exploits, and 
unequalled sagacity to avail himself of every possible advantage; 
yet, he was nobly superior to that avarice of dominion, which blindly 
aims at extensive possession. The war he waged, was a war of 
resistance against tyrannic invasion—a war for security, not for in¬ 
creased territory. 

He was not insensible to the charms of ambition—No, but his 
ambition was not to grasp at aggrandizement by enormous accumu¬ 
lation of wealth, his ambition was to serve his country gratis. 

In his military career you may always note him bold, hazardous, 
and enterprizing, when and where there was rational hope of suc¬ 
cess—prudentially cautious, where circumstances appeared desper¬ 
ate—lavish of any thing, rather than the blood of his brave and be¬ 
loved Countrymen—like the renowned Fabius he conquered by de¬ 
lay. 

Follow him to Cambridge—Hear him address the army—Who 
are they ? A band of undisciplined husbandmen—many without 
arms, all at different times nearly destitute of ammunition—great 
in nothing, but their unconquerable love of Liberty, their meri¬ 
torious cause, and firm confidence in Heaven. To whom are they 
opposed ? To the first Admirals—the first Generals—the bravest 
troops of Europe. Established in your cities, garrisoned in your 
strong holds : Mark the issue, environed, hemmed in by your Hero; 
cut off are their resources, constrained to abandon the enterprise, 
and fly for refuge to the watery element. Yet here, the upstart 
Politician, the fire-side General, or half-concealed Tory dared to 
cavil. 

Hard is the task indeed, to discharge with decided approbation 
the complex duties of Commander in Chief in troublous times; to 
carry on with vigour an extensive war, and yet be frugal of the pub¬ 
lic money; to organize a vast armament—“to constrain those to serve 
whom it may be delicate to offend;” to maintain due subordination 
of rank, to conduct at the same time a complicated variety of opera¬ 
tions, from the burning lands of Georgia, even to the Fort of Que¬ 
bec; and to accomplish every valuable purpose, in spite of envy, 
faction, and disaffection ; to effect all this, O Americans ! was reserv¬ 
ed for your Washington. 


12 


The Heroism of your General was not the offspring of low-mind¬ 
ed pride, established by habit, and confirmed by discipline—No, his 
sprung from an happy commixture of blood and spirit; a soul ele¬ 
vated and noble; an understanding strong and refined; a self-denial 
and self-command that raised him greatly superior to misfortune. 
These burnished by education, warmed with the love of country, 
and roused into energy by a sense of duty, constituted the bravery 
of your chief Commander. 

Haste with him to New York, see him straining every nerve, ex¬ 
erting every power, to establish that Independence, which your 
Congress had proclaimed on the memorable Fourth of July 1776 ; 
applauded by the citizen, rejoiced at by the soldier— That was 
the day when the equestrian Statue of the British George was 
levelled with the dust. 

Here vain alas! were the efforts of your illustrious Chief—He had 
no adequate force, either to oppose or resist the invading foe; fruit¬ 
less even his attempts to oppose the inglorious flight of some of his 
troops, on the first approach of the enemy—He drew his sword, 
threatened instant death, cocked, snapped his pistol. Perilous in 
the extreme was then the situation of your brave Commander—to 
extricate him from it, his faithful attendants snatched the bridle rein 
and gave his horse an opposite direction. 

But as men feeling for the infirmities and pitying the misfortunes 
of our fellow-men, it would become us to “drop a tear on this para¬ 
graph and blot it out forever.” 

No alternative now remained for your beloved Washington, but 
either to evacuate the city, or by an unequal contest, to hazard your 
Independence and political salvation for ages to come. He retired, 
dark was his path ; the prospect on all hands gloomy and tremen¬ 
dous—with a remnant of his army he retreats to Newark. At no 
other period did he ever conceive the American cause as verging on 
desperation. Said he to Col. Reid, “If we retreat to the back settle¬ 
ments of Pennsylvania, will the inhabitants support us ?” Doubts 
and fears rested on the Colonel’s mind. On which your General, 
waving his hand across his throat, observed, “My neck does not feel 
as though it was made for a halter, we must retreat to Augusta 
County in Virginia, and if overpowered by numbers we will cross 
the Alleghany. 


13 


At that trying, heart-agonizing moment, few men would have ex¬ 
changed feelings, situation, and circumstances with your Hero, for 
the empire of the world. 

Follow him next to Brandywine ; it was there that the celebrated 
La Fayette first bled in the cause of Liberty, which he had espoused 
with enthusiastic ardour, and still renders him dear to Americans. 
Accompany your Chief through sleepless nights and anxious days, 
through toil and tumult, blood and death, to Philadelphia and Ger¬ 
mantown; to Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, and back to New- 
York. In every step you trace wisdom, prudence, valour; all the 
dignified virtues of a great, patient, persevering, heroic mind. At 
this critical period Burgoyne’s defeat was announced through 
the union. It produced a mighty revolution in Cabinet and Camp. 
Joy sung hosanna, where dismay had poured a black deluge on 
the heart; hope fixed her anchor where despair had taken up her a- 
bode. 

Thus the rise and fall of the mightiest empires may depend on the 
minutest incidents. w Lives there a man, who dare consider these 
as blind unmeaning casualties ?” No, they are the direct acts of a 
superintending Providence that governs the affairs of the Universe; 
establishing his own august purposes, through the jarring devices of 
mortals—“ making the very wrath of man to praise him, and re¬ 
straining the remainder of wrath.” 

During this year and for some time after, the views of a few fac¬ 
tious men were strongly bent on rendering the Commander in 
Chief unpopular : Ungenerous, ungrateful men; who would meanly 
envy, and basely traduce, conscious they could not nobly emulate. 
He was well aware of their sinister plot; and his conduct on the 
trying occasion, displays the purest patriotism, truest magnanimity, 
and unsullied honour. 

Hear his own words, in a confidential letter to his friend : a l am 
told a scheme of that kind is now on foot by some, (namely the 
change of Commander in Chief); whether true or false, serious or 
to try the pulse, I neither know nor care. Neither ambitious nor 
interested views, led me into the service; I did not solicit the com¬ 
mand, but accepted it, after much entreaty, with all that diffidence 
which a conscious want of ability and experience, equal to the dis¬ 
charge of so important a trust, must naturally excite in a mind not 


14 


quite devoid of thought; and after I did engage, pursued the great 
line of my duty, and the grand object in view, as pointedly as the 
needle to the pole. So soon as the public gets dissatisfied with my 
services, or a person is found better qualified to answer her expecta¬ 
tion, 1 shall quit the helm with as much pleasure, and retire to a 
private station with as much content, as ever the wearied Pilgrim 
felt upon his arrival, at the Holy Land or haven of hope; and shall 
most devoutly wish that those who come after, may meet with more 
prosperous gales than I have done.” Such was the avowal of 
Washington the great, worthy of himself. 

Now the cloud that obscured your political horizon, began to be 
wafted far away—The mist that enveloped your military glory, be¬ 
gan to be dissipated—a new era dawned—a treaty with the French, 
that magnanimous nation, was formed, negotiated by the illustrious 
Franklin and his worthy colleague, faithful servants of the people. 
Fleets and armies were destined to wing their speedy flight across 
the wide Atlantic, for your safety and salvation. The siege of New 
York was then planned, by wise heads and dauntless souls. 

But the tardy returns of your reinforcements, the destination of 
Count De Grasse’s fleet for the Chesapeake, the arrival at New 
York of three thousand additional troops from Europe, and Lord 
Cornwallis having posted himself at Yorktown, as head quarters, 
depot, and general rendezvous for the approaching winter—all, all 
conspired to change the mighty scene of action. 

Thither, Heaven-directed, your Washington bent his way, and 
there achieved the mighty deed, that gilds his well earned fame— 
Lo! here a glorious combination—an allied army indeed ! not for 
the inglorious purpose of annihilating, but for the noble end of estab¬ 
lishing revolution. Delightful harmony! differing in nought but 
the manly contest, of who shall excel in hardiest deeds and boldest 
enterprize. We should pause here to bewail, nay, to execrate, the 
policy of that inauspicious day that ever made you twain. 

Feats of valor and martial prowess distinguished the great Corn¬ 
wallis on the momentous event, that we have now in contemplation ; 
^Great let me call him, though conquered by your hero; every 
manoeuvre hazarded, sorties, resistance, all proved fruitless! To re¬ 
tire, impossible; to remain intolerable; submission must ensue; your 


15 


Hero shall prevail. Opened were your batteries! your cannon 
thundered! the elements of nature seemed convulsed! Citizen sol¬ 
diers mount, they scale the strongest bulwarks, storm redoubts that 
were deemed impregnable! Then and there, many a brave man 
bled, many a father, brother, husband, son, levelled with the dust! 

Justly may we exclaim—O God of mercy! nevermore let us 
hear the sighs of misery, or groans of despair—let us never more 
behold man destroying his fellow creature. The British army bro¬ 
ken down in strength, exhausted in spirit, hope fled, no succour at 
hand, were constrained to surrender. 

The gallantry of your hero on that day was truly signalized, even 
in the choice of his officer (Lieutenant Colonel Laurens) for arrang¬ 
ing the terms of capitulation.—That at the very period, while the 
father was immured in the gloomy dungeons of a British bastile, the 
son was penning articles, whereby an English nobleman and British 
army, became prisoners of war. 

That was the day of Columbia’s triumph ! That the day, whence 
her free-born sons may date their Independence.—As such your 
Washington displayed it—no doubt he exulted—But then it was the 
triumph of a pious, grateful soul, wafted to Heaven in fervent adora¬ 
tion, and lively thinksgiving—“Giving glory where glory was due.” 
Not like the deistical Heroes of modern days in Europe, who after 
unrivalled deeds of military renown, seldom, if ever, deign to ac¬ 
knowledge an over-ruling Heaven; but infidel like, ascribe all the 
praise to brilliant Generals and intrepid Soldiers. 

Your Hero manifested his rational exultation, by a general release 
of all who lay under arrest; that there might not be (as he express¬ 
ed himself) a single American, who should not participate in the 
universal joy—By orders of your Chief Commander, divine service 
was performed two days after the capitulation, in all the brigades of 
the American army; in testimony of their gratitude to the Most 
High, for his surprising interposition at that decisive event. How 
unlike this, was that blasphemous Te Deum of Catharine late Em¬ 
press of Russia; a disgrace to all the sensibility, refinement and 
fascination of women; chanted by her savage soldiery, howled rath¬ 
er by her blood-hounds of war, after their cold deliberate murder of 
twenty two thousand aged men, women, and children at the gates 
of Warsaw, capital of unfortunate Poland. 


16 


No doubt your Washington at the period alluded to above could 
avow it in the presence of the immortal God, that he would not 
then have given up, (even without the sweet hope of an eternal 
recompence in a more perfect state) the noble feelings of his heart, 
that elevation of mind, which ever accompanies active suffering, 
triumphant virtue, for the seductive smiles of a Court, the gaudy 
trappings of Royalty, or the glories of a Crown. 

A few months after the capture of Lord Cornwallis, the British 
government cured of their mania for conquest, and yet in the very 
paroxysm of wounded ambition, after seven years bloody experience, 
were compelled to abandon all offensive operations on your conti¬ 
nent—Their hostile operations converged to a point, and the grand 
catastrophe of the American war opened to the astonished world. 

Having terminated the renowned exploits at Yorktown, your 
Chief returned with part of his exulting victorious troops to the 
vicinity of New-York—Few deeds of heroism remained for him 
now to achieve—The definitive treaty was signed—Your Inde¬ 
pendence reluctantly acknowledged with bleeding hearts, amid ex¬ 
hausted finances and tarnished glory, on the third day of Septem¬ 
ber, 1783. 

Ancient history records no exploit superior to this, and it will 
ennoble the modern, whenever another Livy or Plutarch shall arise 
to do jucticeto it—when another Cicero with his glowing diction, 
or a Demosthenes with his fascinating elocution shall set your Hero 
in the true perspective. 

Your Washington could boast the noblest of Empires, the Empire 
he gained over the minds of his countrymen—Military force, or 
popular caprice, may give power, but nothing can give lasting au¬ 
thority, except pure wisdom and spotless virtue—By these your He¬ 
ro obtained, by these he preserved, a dominion in the hearts of his 
fellow-citizens, unstained by bloody usurpation—-a dominion con¬ 
ferred by public affection, continued by public gratitude. 

The British and their mercenary hirelings evacuate New-York, 
and bade an inglorious farewell—Your Great Washington makes a 
triumphant entry, amid the heart-approving, joyful acclamations, of 
surrounding thousands. To his dignified virtues which command 
admiration, to his exalted services, from which have flowed great 


17 


and durable advantages, “may the honest tribute of praise be render¬ 
ed without the reproach of flattery.” 

Now ceased the bloody rage of war, the Olive-Branch waved all 
around, and sheathed we trust forever here the gore stained weapon. 
Then your beloved Chief (decidedly resolved to retire to the 
tranquil walks of life) bade an affectionate “ warm-hearted fond 
adieu” to his brother officers and victorious troops—Then were 
roused into energy the mingled emotions of the heart, joy and sor¬ 
row, lively gratitude and deep regret, more easily conceived than 
expressed—Then heaved the heart-felt sigh, then flowed the briny 
drop, that would not disgrace a Hero’s cheek. Your country’s 
political Saviour repairs to Philadelphia—There he delivered in his 
accounts to the Comptroller-General, from June 1775, to December 
1783, all his own manuscript, stating every item, producing every 
voucher, and accounting for every disbursement.—Happy will it be 
for America—happy for every nation, if their Chancellors of Exche¬ 
quer, if all through whose hands, the glittering tempting metal cir¬ 
culates, may prove as correct, as honest and as honorable. “Crush¬ 
ed be the Vipers ! who for a grasp of ore or paltry office would sell 
their country to the foe,” or sink a nation into bankruptcy. 

What though your great George could not trace a venerable line 
of Ancestors, through what is vainly, perhaps absurdly called noble 
blood—What though he could not boast Garter, Star, or Ribbon, 
these symbols of hereditary foppery, mere creatures of the imagina¬ 
tion—What though he could not boast the bewitching titles of Lord 
or Earl, often the appendages of cruel fraud, or vile oppression : yet 
your Washington could hold up to view illustrious deeds—His 
“good works” praise him, which can alone confer nobility on man 
—He dared to be great—“He could display the Standards, Colours, 
Trophies, torn from the vanquished foe”—He could boast of honors, 
not the fruit of inheritance, but well yet dearly-earned by toils, by 
abstinence, by valor; amidst clouds of dust and seas of blood—He 
could boast of laying couchant the frowning Lion of British glo¬ 
ry that appalled the nations—that for successive years, through eve¬ 
ry quarter of the globe, waved victorious by sea and land. 

He arrives at Annapolis—waits on Congress—begs leave to re- 
3 


18 


sign his commission; but here vain is description ! Language fails 
in picturing duly the heart-interesting scene. 

Having taught an awful lesson of moderation to ambitious Roy¬ 
alty—having taught political slaves what a nation may achieve un¬ 
der the auspicies of Heaven, by union, valor, and perseverance— 
having established the standard of Liberty on this wide extended 
continent—having laid the foundation for revolutionary move¬ 
ments, through every quarter of the globe, where tyranny invades 
the rights of oppressed humanity—he retires from the great 
theatre of action—Great in himself—Great in the plaudits of ad¬ 
miring thankful millions. Who but your Washington would not 
have been elated ? Who but him, would not have felt one ray of 
vain-glory dart across the soul! 

This man, approved of Heaven, closed that last act of his official 
life, by commending the dearest interest of his country to the pro¬ 
tection of the Almighty, and those who have the superintendence 
thereof, to his holy keeping. 

Having established the independence of this mighty continent, he 
seized the critical moment to retire—his retirement immortalized his 
character—He has left an honorable memorial to the generalissi¬ 
mo’s of other continents—that the glory which is acquired in the 
field of deeds of military prowess, without guilt or ambition, may 
be retained in the shade of private life, without false power or daz¬ 
zling splendor—He retired to Mount Vernon loaded with benedic¬ 
tions. 

A new era now dawned on your political hemisphere—Your 
confederated government of 1778 proved inefficient; could not ap¬ 
ply to the exigences and situation, either of State or People—Jea¬ 
lousy of power; the licentiousness of war; habits of luxury; the 
depreciation of your paper currency which Congress could neither 
fund or pay ; the influx of British goods; want of specie; vile spec¬ 
ulation and cruel swindling; gross and open outrage against seve¬ 
ral Acts of Congress; and fearful symptoms of approaching insur¬ 
rection ; all, all, preached aloud the rapid accomplishment of the 
humiliating, hateful prediction of your foes; to wit, that your Inde¬ 
pendence would ere long prove your greatest curse. Your govern¬ 
ment destitute of energy; devoid of a sanction to its laws; desti- 


19 


tute of a guarantee for the State-Governments, rendering the salva¬ 
tion of one the preservation of all, and in fine, devoid of a judicia¬ 
ry power—These grievances rung through the nation—These defects 
were felt, heard, and understood from the President to the peasant. 
Hence the resistless necessity of renovating the system, of estab¬ 
lishing your federal government. Here again your well tried, long 
approved friend, your illustrious favourite rises to view, presiding 
in the grand council of the nation, composed of men, whose heads 
and hearts, whose principles and talents, were equal to the magni¬ 
tude of the task.—Behold the venerable sages with unprejudiced 
coolness, with mature deliberation, with dignified freedom of senti¬ 
ment, with harmony and candor, digesting your glorious and happy 
constitution; sanctioned by the states ; celebrated by the wise and 
good of every nation; by every true friend of rational Liberty; ap¬ 
proved by Heaven. We have contrasted it with the governments of 
Europe, (for constitutions they have none;) they sink into contempt; 
it rises into great and sacred importance; for security of property 
and purity of legislation superior to all; for energy of government 
perhaps inferior to none. Would to God that your Constitution 
and Government may always harmonize and chime in sweet uni¬ 
son. 

To give motion to the wheels of this mighty machine, your be¬ 
loved Washington again, at the unanimous call of his country, 
must renounce the joys of retirement, to seal by his administration 
in peace, what his bravery had achieved in war. “Ask now of the 
days that are passed, since the day that the omnipotent God first 
created man on the earth,” where ever before the precedent, of an 
enligtened people, by free election, calling the chief in their armies, 
to watch over and guard their civil and political rights and privi¬ 
leges ? no usurpation here by force and arms—terror was not the 
order of the day. 

The great, the important period of inauguration came round, mag¬ 
nificent indeed, novel in the history of the universe, more splendid 
by far than all the false blazon of royal coronation. Methinks I see 
your Washington, the beloved father and deliverer of his country, 
advance to the open gallery of the Federal-Hall, under the inspec¬ 
tion of Heaven and in view of enraptured thousands; methinks I 


20 


hear him with devout fervency repeat the sacred oath, and behold 
him bowing with profound reverence to seal it with an impressive 
kiss on the volume of inspiration. Superlatative transaction! all 
conspired to render it one of the most august, interesting human 
scenes, that perhaps, has ever been exhibited on the theatre of our 
world. 

Firm in the inflexibility of his patriotism, he hazards his unpol¬ 
luted soul, his untarnished fame on the tempestuous ocean of politi¬ 
cal life. Propitious omen! Glorious prognostic! He commen¬ 
ces his political, as he terminated his military career, by an ardent 
ejaculation to Heaven; fervently supplicating the Almighty, who 
rules the universe, and presides in the councils of Nations, to con¬ 
secrate his Administration. He renders homage to the great Au¬ 
thor of all Good, and adores that invisible hand, that providential 
agency, signally manifested in every step of your progress to Inde¬ 
pendence—Here “boasting was excluded,” vain glory could find 
no place. 

From him you anticipated, in him you recognized, the happy 
union of Liberty and law; lenity and vigour; justice and mercy. “The 
enlightened policy of a mind calm amidst the influence of power, 
and uncorrupted by the fascinating charms of ambition.” This was 
the soul that animated and pervaded your federal system, superior 
to the emolument of office, to pension or to salary. In his retinue you 
behold dignified simplicity—no vain pomp inconsistent with pure 
Republicanism—destitute of frippery gaiety and volatile dissipation 
—of expensive parade and foolish ostentation. But even to mark a 
few outlines of his political and military character in the future his¬ 
tory of his life, would carry me far beyond that portion of time al_ 
lotted to services of this kind—suffice it to observe, they were 
such as adorned the statesman and ornamented the hero. I feel 
that I have trespassed, and must haste to the heart-sickening scene 
that opens now before us. 

Your Hero is arrested, arrested by a gloomy foe; resistance here 
is vain; the conqueror of heroes vanquished; the black angel 
usurps the seat of life; vital warmth forsakes him ; exhausted nature 
sinks. Words are needless here to paint the awful scene to your 
feeling hearts—language is unnecessary where, as to day, the image 


of a nation’s woe is presented to view. But shall we retire from 
contemplating his dissolution and bid him an eternal adieu ? no, 
grace and reason, revolt at the idea—He died as he lived, with un¬ 
diminished greatness and dignity of mind—with one hand he closed 
his eyes that were tinged with the blue of Heaven—with the other, 
he sealed those lips in the icy embrace of death, that summoned you 
to victory, to liberty and peace. 

That majestic princely form, which seemed as if designed by na¬ 
ture to command the empire of the world, is laid full low—mute is 
that tongue, which wafted orisons to Heaven—announced your 
Independence, and preached peace, union and harmony, to Colum¬ 
bia’s sons—cruel death has torn him from you, and your hearts still 
shed drops of blood at the parting pang—Men, Brethren, Citizens, 
here cherish the dear remembrance; here without cause of blush 
may flow the manly tributary tear. 

He is gone! and much we fear you never will behold his like a- 
gain ] he was the rallying point, the standard, where animosity, fac¬ 
tion, party-spirit, all, all, were melted down into pure patriotism, all 
absorbed in public good. And is he gone ? Why is the light of life, 
righteous Heaven ! continued to the wretched captive under clank¬ 
ing chains—to tottering old age with its load of woes—to abject 
poverty in tattered rags and pining with want, and yet the Father 
of his Country called away ? Have pity, O our God ! shew mercy 
to poor weak creatures who adore thee, who are unable to scan 
thy administration, and have hearts perhaps too susceptible of a Na¬ 
tion’s loss. 

When the sculptured monumental marble in your house of Su¬ 
preme Legislature shall moulder and decay—When the speaking 
canvas shall lose expression, and become the prey of cankering 
moths, still shall the name and fame of George Washington “survive 
the wrecks of matter,” and the ruin of corroding time—still live 
dear in the grateful remembrance of American Citizens, generation 
after generation, when hundreds of millions may have peopled your 
vast continent. 

Does a disordered fancy deceive us, or is he on yonder cloud! If 
ever immortal Spirits are permitted to quit their immortal abode, 
and hover over this terraqueous globe ; look down beloved Washing- 


ton, from that height of felicity to which you are raised; behold mil¬ 
lions at this moment testifying their profound attachment; behold the 
unexampled sympathies and sorrows of a nation for your loss ; nor 
will it disgrace even your celestial nature, to feel the glory of 
the sacrifices. 

Ah ! why should ever Americans forget they are Brethren ?— 
why sever the ties of nature and country, that should unite your 
souls together, in one sweet bond of amity and friendship ? As 
Freemen, you can, you dare, you will think for yourselves. In 
vain shall man presume to arrest the progress of the rising Sun, or 
stay the swelling of the mighty deep—no less vain the attempt, to 
controul the intellectual world, which scoffs the clumsy restrictions 
of bolts and bars, of fines and chains. 

You may differ in political opinion, you may view through a dif¬ 
ferent medium, the measures of administration—yet I would sum¬ 
mon you to consistence, and entreat, that your only contest in future 
life may be, who shall most excel in promoting public good. 

We detest spirit-of-party—it is the bane of social life—it is the curse 
of dear communion—When the fell-monster lifts his head, every 
joyal citizen, every gentleman, every considerate father of a family, 
indeed every man of common humanity beholds it with horror. 

In the vile train of this pernicious monster, this murderer of social 
bliss, you may easily perceive the snakes of envy, the black features 
of malice, the yellow tinge of jealousy, and the distorted grinnings 
of disappointment. We early admired the speaking importance of 
one borrowed device in your National Arms, to wit: this bundle 
of rods —to break them when combined exceeds your power ? 
separate them, they are easily shivered—Who can resist American 
valour combined? United, you bid defiance to the Universe, sep¬ 
arated, you might be easily crushed, and become the prey of every 
daring invader. On you I call ye Heroes, officers and men, brave 
Soldiers! who fought, and bled, and triumphed with your dear Gen¬ 
eral!—at the tap of whose drum you marched quick through perils, 
toils and blood, to fame and glory—when nakedness, cold and hun¬ 
ger, were your portion, his generous soul, his feeling heart was ago¬ 
nized—lie bemoaned your fate with bowels of compassion. And 
shall Washington the Great and Good, “born to save his country,” 
die without regret ? Can you retain the memorials of his gallant 


23 


spirit, and withhold the tear of sorrow—Happy America that gave 
him birth! Her sons will be black ingrates indeed, if ever his dear 
remembrance is erased from their hearts. Men of valor, Soldiers! 
you will never be taught to cringe and stoop and lick the hand of 
tyranny—Your untamed generous souls, will dare to assert your In¬ 
dependence and your Freedom. My soul is up in arms against 
every European Foe, who shall dare to insult your Great Repub¬ 
lic, and we adore the memory of your patriotic Brothers, who no¬ 
bly died, in asserting the Independence of your States, and the Lib¬ 
erty of your Nation. 

We would now glance the sympathetic eye with tender sensibility, 
on the disconsolate situation of the amiable and heart-wrung Relic 1 
of your departed Father, Protector, Friend. We are well aware, 
that her grief is of no common kind ; woe rankles in her breast; 
“sacred be her sorrows,” great were her sacrifices. Worthy woman, 
glory of her sex ; I had almost said, Fellow-Labourer, in the heroic 
and Divine-Work of delivering and emancipating a Country ! To be 
frequently severed from her Wedded-Love, during eight long tedious 
years, exposed as he was to “ death in all its forms,” what fearful 
forebodings must overwhelm and sink the heart ? Let virtuous, 
female, refined sensibility, picture the melting scene :—Awful pro¬ 
bation! She outlives that husband; lives his wife no longer; divor¬ 
ced by cruel death; much rather had she died a thousand deaths.— 
Revered Widow! live worthy your great Peer—ere long the day 
will dawn,and the day-star arise on your beclouded mind—live in the 
sweet persuasion, that ye shall again be united after melancholy ab¬ 
sence, “ united never more to separate.” Surely there is not an 
hour of the short span of life allotted her here below, since the de¬ 
parture of that best of men, in which she would exchange the hon¬ 
est pride, and rational joy, that she constantly feels in hearing his 
praise, and behold the monuments of his glory, erected in this great 
Commwonwealth, for all the delights this world could afford. 

I would now assume the privilege of addressing for a few moments, 
you, Gentlemen of the Brotherhood, distinguished by the ancient 
and honorable appellation of Free and Accepted Masons: Perhaps 
silence here would better far become me, stranger as I am to the 
sacred mysteries of your Craft. Yet surely, after the ennobled tes- 


24 


timony afforded this day, of your poignant sorrow, and exquisite re¬ 
gret, for the loss of your illustrious Brother General George Wash¬ 
ington, silence in me would border on a crime. 

Gentlemen, the eyes of the world are upon you; perhaps I 
might have added, (without a breach of the laws of charity) of a 
prejudiced, bigotted and censorious world. In every clime and in 
every country, you will find sneaking dastardly souls ; cowardly as¬ 
sassins, who gratify their black hearts, in deceitfully whispering a - 
way moral character, merely to bring down manly excellence and 
sterling worth, to a level with their own contemptible insignificance; 
no doubt, your fair fame has been corroded by the venom of slan¬ 
derous aspersion; doubtless the tongue of calumny has prated to 
your disadvantage: But you will take care gentlemen, to demean 
yourselves with such circumspection and correct propriety, (like the 
dignified Philosopher of antiquity) as that nobody will believe the 
babblers—If Sirs, your institution is founded on the immutable 
pilliars of Faith, Hope and Charity (and it must be so, otherwise 
your renowned Washington would not have lived and died a mas¬ 
ter-builder thereof) without peradventure it will stand unmoved, as 
it has stood for ages, in defiance of all opposition, and u will shine 
more and more unto the perfect day.” 

From the history of the world, Masonry has been patronized in 
every age, by the wise, the great, the good—Your enemies have 
never as yet dared to cavil this position—and yet it is a doleful 
truth, that not a few of the fraternity, have by irreverent language, 
and inglorious deeds, disgraced the profession, and afforded lamen¬ 
table cause for gainsavers to open their mouths; this however is no 
valid objection against the excellence of the institution itself—for that 
pure, spotless, all-perfect system of Religion promulgated by the 
sacred Jesus, has been dishonoured by thousands of worthless vo¬ 
taries—If though after your various gradations in Masonry you 
should generally prove more ungracious and immoral—less pure 
in heart—less temperate in enjoyment—less guarded in expression 
—less reverential to Heaven, than in the former history of your life; 
in that case, it would undoubtedly proclaim aloud, that there was 
something in the craft, that had a fatal tendency to corrupt morals, 
and deprave the heart. But you will take care Gentlemen Free 


^ i r 


25 

Masons, to prove the reverse to the world, by that most convincing 
of all arguments, a holy life and honorable deportment—that you 
are indeed and in truth Men, Brethren, Christians. When 
through future life, in the retirements of your Lodge, you may 
glance the anxious eye of fraternal condolence, on the lively Em¬ 
blems exhibited to day, of your deceased Brother and America in 
mourning—that weeping Urn and that drooping Eagle—be taught, 
to lift the tearful eye to yonder Heaven, to that celestial temple 
above, where your Washington dwells in ceaseless harmony and 
love divine,—be taught, to copy his bright example ; let his humil¬ 
ity teach you, to stand upon a level with the brotherhood—like 
him, learn to keep within compass—like him, walk by rule, as chil¬ 
dren of the light; and I most unfeignedly pray, that the fountain of 
life and light, may inspire you with wisdom from above, and grace 
from Heaven, to square your whole conduct, by the eternal laws of 
piety, and purity, of truth and virtue, of sobriety and honor. 

In fine, I would beg leave to address you Gentlemen Citizens, 
Soldiers, Militia, who have taken up' arms in the cause of your 
country; we entreat you to persevere in opposition to every diffi¬ 
culty, until you have fully attained the use of arms for the service 
of your country, which you have nobly in view. Then every little 
hill will become a strong-hold, and every village pour forth an host 
to defend itself; you have a Country, you have a Constitution^ 
well worth contending for. 

In the energetic superior style of my reverend and dearly belov¬ 
ed friend and countryman, I would ask you “with what composure 
could you behold the wives of your bosoms, with whom ye sweet¬ 
ly shared life’s toils and pleasures wantonly abused, insulted by an 
abandoned soldiery, or driven to distraction by the piercing cries of 
an infant offspring ? How bear the sight of your habitations in 
flames, the fruits of your honest industry consigned to destruction, 
and the the tender pledges of your love, reduced in a moment to 
beggary, slavery or death ? 

How could you give up forever a brother, with whom you have 
trodden youth’s flowery path in love and peace, and mutually ex 
changed friendship’s hallowed vows warm from the heart ? Or 
with what feelings behold your dear country wasted with the deso- 
4 


26 


fating sword and drenched in blood ?” Religion revolts and thd 
spirit of man rises in arms against it. Perhaps the fame of your 
preparations has already impressed your enemies with terror— 
manly Consideration—soul-comforting reflection! to bid defiance to 
an imperious foe—give energy to the good laws of the land, and se¬ 
cure tranquillity to your country; the honorable rank you hold in 
civilized society will attract the attention of mankind ; dignity ought 
to stamp the whole of your demeanor ; intemperance or dissipation 
should never be known amongst you, or the gross outrage of bold 
profanity ever stain your conversation; the very appearance of this 
would blast your character, and the reality render you odious to 
our God and contemptible in the estimation of good and worthy 
men. 

Do your duty citizen-soldiers, and leave the event to Heaven’s 
Lord; the womb of Providence teems with mighty events; convul¬ 
sions shake the European nations; whether despotism shall prevail 
or the standard of liberty wave victorious “is the question ?” Indeed 
when or where these unexampled commotions shall terminate, God, 
even our God only knows ? Persevere, ye chosen bands—go on— 
be the temporal guardians of your wide extended continent and the 
dread of surrounding foes—so shall the morning and evening in¬ 
cense of a grateful nation be wafted to Heaven in your behalf; tot¬ 
tering old age will pour forth blessings upon you; the rising youth 
will be trained to noble and virtuous deeds under the captivating in¬ 
fluence of your example, u and generations unborn will revere your 
memory.” Persevere brave and worthy men! may the almighty 
though invisible arm of Jehovah defend you as with a shield whilst 
here, and the peaceful abodes of an immortal Paradise be your ever¬ 
lasting inheritance hereafter. 


PRAYER. 


The following is a 6opy of the prayer addressed to the Throne of 
Grace , by the Rev. Dr. Glendy, in opening the celebration of the 
Fourth of July, 1821, in the city of Baltimore. 


Let us pray: and when we pray, let it be remembered, that we 
worship a heart-searching and Omnipresent God. 

Holy, heavenly, merciful Parent; we adore thee as the Lord of 
Hosts and of Glory; whose word gave being to the universe— 
whose frown could in a moment reduce it to non-existence. 

Thou Jehovah, art alone, eternal, self-existent, almighty, omnis¬ 
cient, incomprehensible, immutable; in whom an infinite fulness of 
goodness ever dwells, and from whom emanations of goodness are 
ever flowing. We draw nigh to thee, Eternal God, in the full as¬ 
surance of faith, that universal nature is thy temple, filled with the 
divine immensity, and consecrated to the divine glory. 

We call upon thy name, Holy Father, under the conviction that 
we are at all times, and in ail places, surrounded by the immensity 
of Godhead, whose sacred influence is the stay of nature, and whose 
presence is intimately blended with every working of the human 
frame. We adore thee, great Lord of all, as thou art pleased to dis¬ 
play thyself in all the majesty of omnipotence, and in all the mild¬ 
ness of clemency and love. Who, great God, shall presume to set 
bounds to the productions of infinite power, actuated by infinite 
goodness ? Who shall dare to circumscribe the theatre on which 
omnipotence may will to act ? 

When we look up to the stupendous firmament above, to the 
wide canopy of the Heavens, bespangled with innumerable orbs of 
light, shedding down their benign influence on our heads, we are 
taught to wonder, and admire, and adore; and to bow down and 
worship Him, whose throne is the heavens and his footstool the 
earth. 




28 


We rejoice, benevolent Father, that thou didst create man out of 
thine own good pleasure—that thou didst create man to make him 
happy, everlasting happy, beyond all that words can express, or 
mind conceive. We bless thee for existence and well being; for all 
our mental endowments, and all our worldly possessions. We 
rejoice in the pleasing interchanges of day and night, and the agreea¬ 
ble vicissitudes of the seasons. 

We bless the Lord for a salubrious clime and an healthful at¬ 
mosphere. We bless God for that profusion of beauty, which is 
every where diffused throughout creation. 

We acknowledge with grateful confidence O Lord, that stormy 
skies and tempestuous seas, that hurricanes and earthquakes ; that 
famine and pestilence, and malignant fevers; that wars and rumours 
of wars, are subject to thy controul. 

We rejoice, Heavenly Father, in the pleasures of virtue, in the 
comforts of religion, in the hope of Glory—We rejoice in the re¬ 
fined satisfaction, derivable from honest-hearted, virtuous friendship 
—Especially, we would render glory to God in the highest, for that 
unspeakable gift, Christ Jesus the Lord, who is all our salvation, 
and all our joy. 

On this interesting occasion, on this ever memorable day, we de¬ 
sire to render homage to Almighty God, our supreme good. We 
adore that invisible hand, the Providential agency, so signally mani¬ 
fested in establishing the Independence of this great nation. We 
rejoice that a special day has been set apart, that the memory of 
that illustrious era may be transmitted to the latest, posterity; and 
that the men, who, as Patriots, or Heroes, or Legislators, distinguish¬ 
ed themselves on the great occasion, should receive a due tribute of 
praise, through all succeeding times. 

Wonder-working God ! We adore and admire thine over-rulin<r 
Providence, when lowly petitions and strong remonstrances, and 
solemn vows of fealty, on the part of American Colonists, were 
spurned by a British Parliament, pretending to legislate for this 
great Continent, that then Congress, Heaven directed, after mature 
discussion and energetic debate, proclaimed, with noble daring, that 
the United Colonies were, “and of right ought to be, Free, Sovereign^ 
and Independent States,” 


59 


We thank God, for the mild and equal government of this great 
and growing republic. We bless the Lord our God, for the happy 
and glorious written Constitution of this widely extended realm, 
which, while it sets due bounds to the powers and privileges of the 
Executive Department, guarantees to the lowliest citizen, his just 
and equal rights. 

We have unshaken confidence, Great God, “that thou canst bring 
light out of darkness, and order out of confusion;” “that thou canst 
make the wrath of man to praise thee, and restrain the remainder of 
wrath;” for when a formidable host of foes overspread the plains, 
and possessed the cities of this beloved land: when the engines of 
destruction were prepared for its ruin—when vengeance and rage 
had lighted up their torches, and the enemy thirsted for conquest, 
a$d for plunder; even then, gracious God, under thy controuling 
influence, Congress elected Gen. George Washington, Commander 
in Chief of the American Armies. O righteous God !—what an aw¬ 
ful test of patriotism and valor! Then lay his earthly all at stake: 
his fee simple estate and precious life; his honour, superior to both; 
his country, dearer than all. 

Blessed be thy name, benevolent Father, that at the call of his 
country, worthy to command, yet willing to obey, he girded on the 
harness without boasting. 

Great guardian of Angels and of men, we derive religious pleasure, 
while tracing the mazes of thy Providence, in the military operations 
of that Great and Good Man—while we behold him, bold, daring, 
and enterprising, when and where, there is rational hope of success; 
cautious and wary, where defeat might prove fatally disastrous. 

We bless God that He, the Conqueror of heroes, conquered by 
delay. We pray, holy Father, that the name and fame of Washing¬ 
ton, be revered and perpetuated, age after age, by American citizens, 
throughout the wide world, when hundreds of millions shall have 
peopled this vast continent; when the speaking canvas shall lose 
expression, and become a prey to cankering moths, and the monu¬ 
mental marble shall moulder and decay. 

Fountain of goodness, we earnestly supplicate, that this glorious 
anniversary, may be celebrated by American citizens, generation af¬ 
ter generation, with patriotic ardor and loyal joy, with increased ad- 


30 


miration and livelier gratitude and warmer love—while sun and 
moon endure, ’till time itself shall be no more. 

O thou righteous Governor of the moral world, who can defeat 
the schemes of the wicked, and bring to nought the counsels of the 
ungodly, confound, we beseech thee, the malignant policjr, the wily 
leagues and bloody conspiracies of combined despots, against the 
rights and liberty, and internal government of independent nations. 
Father of mercies, we most unfeignedly regret that a few establish¬ 
ed tyrants, rule the nations of the earth, with a rod of iron, and that 
their arbitrary mandates must be law. We bow in humble obe¬ 
dience, saying thy will be done—Y et, holy One of Israel, if consistent 
with thy divine administration, we pray, that revolutions, originating 
in pure and worthy principles, and aiming at great, and good, and 
noble ends, may prevail over the whole face of the peopled globe 
’till the civil, political and religious rights and liberties of mankind, 
shall be established from east to west, and from pole to pole. 

God forbid Americans should ever forget that they are brethren— 
Forbid it Lord, that ever they should sever the ties of nature and 
of country, which should unite their hearts and souls in one sweet 
bond of amity and friendship. May their only contest in future life 
be, who shall excel in promoting public good. Inspire one and all 
of us, with a just abhorrence of faction and party spirit, as the bane 
of social life, and curse of dear communion. May every loyal citi¬ 
zen, and upright magistrate, and conscientious minister of religion, 
and every considerate father of a family, behold them with horror. 

As men, as citizens, and as Christians, may we forbear one an¬ 
other in love, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.— 
God forbid, that Americans should ever be constrained to stoop, and 
cringe, and lick the hand of tyranny; may their untamed, dauntless 
spirits dare to assert and maintain their independence against every 
marauding, every invading foe. 

Benevolent Father, we most cordially revere the memory of those 
Illustrious Patriots who died nobly in asserting the freedom, and 
establishing the Independence of these U. States. Green grow the 
turf that covers them; may their slumbering ashes rest in peace till 
the glorious morning of the resurrection, when the trump of the 
Archangel, and the voice of the Son of God, shall pierce the caverns 


of the tomb, reanimate their sleeping dust, and speak them into life' 
—when the Great Lord and Judge of all, shall pronounce the Hea¬ 
venly Benediction in their behalf, saying, “ well done, good and 
laithful servants, enter ye into the joys of your Lord.” 

Forbid it God, that this memorable day should be disgraced by 
riot, or intemperance, or dissipation, or by any kind or degree of 
sordid vice; may Christian philanthropy and a brotherhood of affec¬ 
tion universally prevail; may we learn how to enjoy, so as to obey ; 
may we know how to keep within compass where giddy minds are 
distracted; may we by the grace of God, slacken the reins without 
libertinism, and straighten them without sullen rigor ; “may we re¬ 
joice with trembling,” may we rejoice, as though we rejoieed not. 

What we have asked amiss, Father of mercies forgive—what we 
have failed to supplicate, God of salvation, bestow it. 

All we plead for here, all we hope for hereafter, is in the name 
and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Divine Lord, the Redeeming 
Saviour of the World—Amen—So let it be. 


W 34 



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